The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has requested public input on a new rule they have proposed that would widely benefit people receiving Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS). Your voice is vital to this process, because changes to CMS rules don’t occur often. Thus, it is very important that CMS receive as much public feedback as possible on the proposal to ensure that the final rule is the best and most comprehensive version possible.

Well, it’s finally, mercifully over – the Tennessee General Assembly adjourned Sine Die on April 21st, 2023. This year saw expulsions, resignations, dirty laundry in the national spotlight, protests, some legislation or whatever, and lots and lots of drama. Now that we’ve had some time to decompress and reflect, I wanted to wrap up the year for the disability community. And it was a good year at that.

And, of course, ‘twas another wild week down at the Tennessee General Assembly as our elected officials sprint towards the exits. We had some high-profile resignation drama, some long days/nights in chamber, daily protests (in and out of chamber) and (probably) one much-needed adjournment Sine Die. Despite the goofiness up on the hill, I want to reiterate again that the Tennessee disability community had a pretty darn good session this year.

And what a happy Friday it is – I’m feeling all sorts of filled up over here after seeing so many of you this week. I’m filled up with gratitude, filled up with optimism, filled up with love for this community, but I’m also filled up with some fire. The sight of so many of us filling up the corridors of Cordell Hull reminds me that there is so much work to be done in this state. It also reminds me that this is the community to do it – nothing has been handed to us over the years

For all that we put out into the world, it seems that it stays largely the same, but our impact is felt in the accumulation of the small good that we do and the people that we treat well along the way. Stay strong and

The General Assembly is officially full speed ahead. And when they get up a head of steam like this, we need to get truckin’ ourselves, lest we get left behind. I mean, I hear they’re considering closing committee calendars in less than a month, meaning if a bill doesn’t get on the list, you won’t see it until next January. The urgency is real, but don’t let that get to you dear reader – we are an advocacy family and together, we always rise to meet the challenge.